Is my progesterone level too high?

I have had my hormones tested by saliva test and my progesterone was listed as >1000. My naturopath has no problem with that number, but a warning came with the results about the danger of progesterone being higher than 500. Even at the level of over 1000 I have menopausal symptoms.

I wonder if I should be using even more progesterone than the 1/8 tsp I use everyday, but what about the warnings of cancer from the higher levels? I am 56 years old and have been in menopause for 3 years.

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Is my progesterone level too high?

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Aug 28, 2009

Is my progesterone level too high?
by: Wray

I would agree with your naturopath, particularly if you have menopausal symptoms. The 1/8th tsp you are using will be giving you about 20mg/day. This is the amount we make during our monthly cycle, fine if there are no problems, useless if there are. I have found to overcome peri-menopause and menopause symptoms about 200mg/day is needed initially. It can easily be reduced once symptoms have abated. As for the cancer, please see this web page. Take care, Wray

Jul 14, 2010

Progesterone too high
by: Kristin

I am 63 and I just got results from my saliva test. My progesterone is about 2700. Isn't this way too high? I only use progesterone cream about once a week and I use compounded estriol cream vaginally, also about once or twice a week.

Jul 19, 2010

Progesterone too high
by: Wray

Hi Kristin Using supplemental progesterone will give a high reading with saliva tests. But oddly enough not if a blood test is performed. This paradox is explained here. Low amounts can cause the level to rise up to 3000 pg/ml, whereas the amounts I suggest women use, ie 100-200mg/day can rise to 100,000 pg/ml. Take care Wray